A look at the matchups for the regional semifinals shows very few surprises. In most cases the top four or five teams in the region have earned a place in the state tournament.
One exception is in Region 4-AAA, where the Jackson boys are in the state playoffs after their 53-48 win over No. 5-ranked Westminster. The Jaguars (14-11) had lost to Westminster by eight points during the regular season and finished fourth in Division B.
Jackson has been lurking unnoticed the last two weeks. The Jags lost three of their final four games, but that included a one-point defeat to No. 3 South Atlanta, a double-overtime loss to Cedar Grove (which is in the region semis) and a four-point loss to North Clayton, the team they will play in the region semifinals on Friday night at 8:30 p.m.
The only championships scheduled tonight are in Region 2-AAA. The boys play at Central Macon, with Southwest Macon and Rutland meeting for third place and Central and Westside playing for the title. The girls will play at Kendrick, with No. 10 Peach County playing No. 2 Kendrick for the championship, following the consolation between Central Macon and Jackson.
Region 3-AAA will play its championships on Saturday at Westside-Augusta. In boys play, Josey and Butler meet for third place, while No. 2 Laney meets No. 8 Westside for the championship. On the girls side, the consolation game features Josey vs. Hephzibah, with No. 3 Laney meeting Washington County for the title.
Here’s a look at the Fridays’ semifinals, with state rankings listed:
Region 1-AAA at New Hampstead: Boys –Semifinals feature No. 10 Johnson-Savannah vs. Dodge County and Tattnall County vs. No. 6 Jenkins. Girls – Semifinals are No. 5 Johnson-Savannah vs. Dodge County and Tattnall County vs. No. 9 Beach.
Region 4-AAA at Jackson: Boys – Semifinals feature North Clayton vs. Jackson and Cedar Grove vs. No. 3 South Atlanta, a rematch of last year’s region championship game. Girls – Semifinals feature Douglass vs. Westminster and No. 4 Jackson vs. South Atlanta.
Region 5-AAA at Central Carroll: Boys – Semifinals feature Rockmart vs. Pepperell and Central vs. Callaway.Girls – Semfinals are Pepperell vs. Callaway and Rockmart vs. Haralson County.
Region 6-AAA at Ringgold: Boys – Semifinals feature North Murray vs. Coahulla Creek and Ringgold vs. No. 1 Calhoun. Girls – Semifinals are Sonoraville vs. Calhoun and Adairsville vs. Ringgold.
Region 7-AAA at Lumpkin County: Boys – Semifinals feature Lumpkin County vs. No. 9 Banks County and West Hall vs. East Hall. Girls – Semifinals are Banks County vs. No. 8 Dawson County and West Hall vs. East Hall. West Hall has clinched its first trip to the state playoffs since 2006.
Region 8-AAA at Emmanuel College: Boys – Semifinals feature Jackson vs. East Jackson and Jefferson vs. No. 4 Morgan County. Girls – Semfinals are Jefferson vs. Hart County and Jackson County vs. No. 1 Morgan County.
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